15 mins paneer butter masala recipe with video (StoveTop and Instant Pot). This is such an easy and foolproof method to cook Paneer Butter Masala. It is perfect for beginners who are new to the kitchen. You just cannot go wrong with this versatile paneer recipe.
This recipe is like dump everything into the pressure cooker or Instant Pot (electric pressure cooker) and let it cook for the required time till the gravy is done. Find the instructions for both cooking methods in the recipe card below.
It doesn't matter whether you are a newbie who wishes to impress your parents and friends with your culinary skill or if you are a busy working person.
If you are a person who does not have time to sweat it out in the kitchen but still wants to eat finger-licking, homemade food for health reasons, this easy and quick 15 mins paneer butter masala recipe are for you.
This method works best when you have to make it in a larger batch say for a get-together or a party. It gets done in no time without any supervision or having to keep stirring the gravy.
You can easily double or triple the recipe depending on your requirement.
I came across this opos method in a foodie group that I frequent often but was still skeptical to give it a try. But finally gave in as you don't even have to stand near the stove except during the preparation time.
If you are looking for authentic tasting PBM, this is not for you. But this is perfect for working women, bachelors, grown kids who wish to learn cooking.
Ingredients
Paneer: Any paneer, be it homemade, malai paneer or frozen paneer cubes work well.
Paste: A fine paste comprising onion, tomato, whole cashews, ginger garlic paste, and whole spices is used which forms the masala in which the paneer is cooked into a creamy and rich gravy.
Milk or Water: You can use either to make the paste into a gravy. But using whole milk makes the gravy not only silky smooth but also rich at the same time.
Kasuri Methi: These are dried fenugreek leaves that add more aroma to the gravy.
Red chili powder: Adds the spice to the gravy. If you prefer a not-so-spicy gravy, half of this can be replaced with Kashmiri red chili powder which being not so spicy also adds good color to the gravy.
Salt & Sugar: Sugar is added to balance all the tastes and to mellow down the acidic nature of the tomatoes.
Butter or Oil: Basically only unsalted butter is used to make the gravy. If you are caloric conscious, then oil can be used in its place or even a combination of both can be used to get the best eating experience.
Instructions
To make 15 mins Paneer Butter Masala in Instant Pot,
Start the Instant pot in saute mode and add butter. Let it melt and season with bay leaf.
Add the ground paste.
Add spice powders, sugar, and salt.
Add Paneer cubes.
Add milk, Kasuri methi, and mix well to combine.
Pressure cook for 4 mins.
Open the lid after pressure releases and mix well.
To make this on stovetop Pressure Cooker,
Follow the same process as mentioned above and after closing with lid, pressure cook for 2 whistles over medium flame.
Top Tip
Though the paneer butter masala gets cooked in just 4 mins, give it required resting time for the paneer to absorb all the flavors to get the best eating experience.
Expert Tips
After opening the lid, if the gravy seems to be very thick, then dilute by adding a little milk and boiling before serving.
If the gravy is too thin, and you want it to be a little bit thick then boil for few minutes so that the gravy can thicken.
Keep the paneer block soaked in hot water for 15 to 20 mins before using it. This will ensure that the paneer cubes stay soft & prevent them from hardening after cooking.
Always use only hybrid tomatoes to prevent the gravy from turning sour and tangy.
FAQ
What Paneer is the best?
Malai Paneer is the best to use in any paneer recipe. If you are using any other paneer or frozen paneer cubes, check out the top tip to keep it soft.
Variation
If you are fasting, then you can try this No Onion No Garlic Paneer Butter Masala to serve during Vrat.
You can also add frozen or fresh peas along with paneer.
Instead of paneer, you can also use tofu or mixed vegetables.
Storage
If refrigerating the leftovers, the fat tends to harden and form a coating on top. Make sure to thaw to room temperature and heat it either on the stovetop or microwave before serving.
If the gravy seems too thick, then add enough milk to loosen the gravy before reheating.
Serving suggestions
This 15 mins paneer butter masala goes well with Naan, Chapathis, Parathas, Jeera Rice, Ghee Rice, and Vegetable Pulao.
Watch Video
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Related Recipes
See more Paneer Recipes and Side Dishes for Chapathis
If you have tried this recipe & have any more queries, send an email to ticklingpalates@gmail.com. You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube and Pinterest for recipe updates.
Recipe Card
15 Mins Paneer Butter Masala Recipe
Ingredients
- 200 gms Paneer cubed
- 1 Bay leaf
- 1 tsp Red chili powder
- 1/2 tsp Garam Masala powder
- 1/4 cup Milk or Water
- 1/2 tsp Kasuri Methi
- 1/4 tsp Sugar
- 2 tbsp Butter or Oil
- Salt to taste
For the paste
- 1 Onion
- 3 Tomatoes
- 1 Green chili
- 1 tbsp Ginger Garlic Paste
- 2 Cardamom
- 2 Cloves
- 1/2 inch Cinnamon stick
- 8 to 10 Whole cashew nuts
Instructions
- Take all the ingredients mentioned for the paste - Onion, tomatoes, green chili. ginger-garlic paste, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, and cashew nuts in a mixie jar.
- Grind to a smooth paste without adding water. If too thick, then add just 2 to 3 tbsp water.
Make in Stovetop Pressure Cooker
- To a pressure cooker, add butter or oil. Add bay leaf, Paneer cubes, ground paste, red chili powder, garam masala powder, sugar, Kasuri methi, milk, salt, and give a mix.
- Close with lid and pressure cook for 2 whistles over medium flame.
- After the pressure gets released on its own, open the lid and mix well. Transfer to the serving bowl and serve garnished with a dollop of cream on top and coriander leaves.
Make in Instant Pot
- Turn on the Instant Pot in "saute" mode. Add butter or oil, bay leaf, paneer cubes, ground paste, red chili powder, sugar, Kasuri methi, milk, salt, and give a mix.
- Cancel the "Saute" mode and switch to "Manual or Pressure Cook".
- Set the pressure level at HIGH, heat at NORMAl, and time for 4 mins.
- Close with lid with the 'Vent' is in 'Closed' position.
- Once the cooking is complete and finishes off with the beep sound, wait for natural pressure release (NPR). Open the lid and mix well to combine.
- Transfer to the serving bowl and serve garnished with a dollop of cream on top and coriander leaves.
Video
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arthi
OMG.. Wow.. If pbm is this simple, I can even make it for breakfast..
JayanthiSindhiya
Wow the method looks so easy ,let me also try this ,lovely clicks
arthi
I tried this today for dinner.. There was no difference in taste between the traditional method and this one.. It was a super dooper hit with my family.. Thank u so much..
Ventair home appliances
thanx for sharing such a great tasty recipe! Nice pictures
Merlinthomas
Hi. Tried this recipe today and I must say that initially I was not confident about the result seeing the recipe. But after reading that surely no disappointment I went ahead. It was yummy and we loved it totally. Thanks for such a tasty time saver recipe. Kudos
Radhika
You are most welcome Merlin. I'm happy t hear that you liked it and yes its a huge time saver of a recipe.
Jen Harris
This looks easy and great! However, I do not have a pressure cooker. Could I follow the same recipe using a large frying pan OR sauce pan instead?
Rajendra Deshmukh
Fantastic recpie. True to the word...damn easy and too good to taste.
Reva
Tried this today, was so simple and came out yummy, Thank you!!!
Radhika
Thanks for trying out and for your lovely feedback. Keep visiting.
Daya
Very simple and very tasty. Easy to cook. Thank you for the reciepe.
Kripa
I tried it today and i cannot believe it was just like the traditional recipe. Easy and yummy recipe. Thanks a lot for such a nice recipe
Radhika
Thank you so much. Glad you liked it.
Lakshmi
Will chilly powder and ginger garlic tastes raw as we are not sauting it..
Radhika
No you won't get the raw taste as you are pressure cooking it.
Anbu Dhanapal
Came out really good. Thanx
Radhika
Hi, Thank you for your lovely feedback.
Geetha
My god many say it's fool proof recipe, and when we try it turns out to be a disaster. But this one is real fool proof one my husband liked it a lot I must say it just took less than 15 mins if everything is ready. Thanks
Radhika
Hi Geetha, exactly my thoughts. Happy to hear that your hubby liked it.Thanks for trying and giving your feedback.
Mithra
Amazing recipe with nice instruction, thanks for sharing such a delicious recipe!
Rashmi Dokey
Hi Radhika,
I made it today it was super easy
Anupama
Thank you, it was just what it promised, quick, easy and yummmm.
Radhika
Thank you for trying and letting me know Anupama. Glad you liked it.
Radhika
thank you for your lovely feedback Anupama
Srijith
This recipe is fantastic. So quick and tasty
Radhika
thank you very much for your lovely feedback
Cynthia Lobo
Easiest and best Paneer recipe. I made it quite a number of times. Goes very well with chapati, naan etc. I can truly give all five stars for this recipe. Thank you
Radhika
So happy that you it came out well for you & you liked it. Thank you for a lovely feedback
Roshini Jojan
I tried this recipe yesterday and it came Awesome. Thank You
Suki
Thank you so much for this easy n get delicious recipe. Tried it for dinner and it was simply superb 🙂
Radhika
Hi Suki, thank you for trying and happy to hear that you liked it.
Dr. Radhika K C
Hi Radhika... I tried this recipe today.. It turned out very well. Finger licking good . My son loved it the most... Tried so many other paneer recipes earlier but till date this is the best one ... Thanks for sharing it... Please keep posting ..
Love and peace from one foodie to other?
Radhika
Thank you so much for your appreciation and kind words. It makes me so happy to hear how much your son loved it. Keep visiting 🙂
Volga
Super quick, non fussy and absolutely yumm!
preetha
Thanks for the awesome receipe !
keep smiling always:)
Julia
Hi - this looks great but I don't have a pressure cooker? Would it work without one?
Radhika
You can use instant pot if you have one. It will also work with a microwave oven but the timing will vary if you are going to cook it on stovetop in an open pan.
Lunalisa
Thanks for such an awesome and really quick recipe!!
sunantha joshi
Tried this today, but I put everything in slow cooker (Crockpot), turned out Amazing I used 1kg paneer so five times up all ingredients except chili part . Plus added frozen peas
Aneesha
Hi
Do you double the ingredients If I want to make 8 servings?
Radhika
Yes, just double up the ingredients.
Arsha Rejikumar
Simply awesome and delicious . This was my first time making a complete dish and I used your recipie . My parents were simply amazed and they we all lived it so much. It was the easiest and most delicious paneer recipie ever . Thanks a lot .
Hema
Thanks For Sharing this Amazing Recipe. My Family Loved It. I will be sharing this Recipe with my Friends. Hope They will like it.